In the first 22 games of the season, Xavier Thames averaged 18.1 points while shooting 43.8 percent. In the last five games: 9.0 points and 21.4 percent.

But before you start ruing the sudden loss of form by San Diego State’s senior point guard, or believing the rumors that he injured his back again (he laughed and shook his head when asked about them), consider another number:

Some perspective: Thames’ predecessor, D.J. Gay, is the school’s all-time leader in victories (105) and games played (140). He made some tough shots and played lockdown defense but was maybe best known for an uncanny knack for turnover-less games. And his longest stretch without one was 177 minutes.

Thames transferred from Washington State and redshirted during Gay’s senior season, when the Aztecs went 34-3 and reached the Sweet 16. He played against Gay every day in practice, and he soaked up every drop of knowledge he could from the heart, soul and conscience of SDSU’s greatest basketball team.

“He just told me to make the easy play,” Thames said, “that don’t try to make the spectacular play that everybody oohs and aahs (over). That’s what I learned from him, just make the right decision.”

Ask any coach what they want out of their point guard, and you’ll get the same response: great on-ball defense, and no turnovers.

Coach Steve Fisher calls Thames “our most reliable, dependable, effective defender,” and his assist-turnover ratio over the last 5½ games is, ahem, 23-to-0.

Thames’ last turnover came six games and 20 days ago, with 5:30 left in the first half against Nevada. He had zero in 35 minutes at Wyoming, zero in 35 minutes against Air Force, zero in 30 minutes against Air Force, zero in 35 minutes at New Mexico, zero in 26 minutes against San Jose State.

Since Feb. 11, no one in Division I has more assists (18) without a turnover.

“Handling it as much as he does, in traffic on so many ball screens and looks, for him to have that stat is very impressive to me,” Coach Steve Fisher said. “I don’t chart and look to see what all the guards across the country are doing, but that is a winning statistic no matter who you are or what league you’re playing in.

“When you’ve had such a good offensive stretch that X did, and when you go through a period where you have a harder time making shots, you tend to say, ‘He’s not playing well.’ He’s not shooting well, but he’s playing well.”

There is pride in Thames’ voice talking about turnover-free basketball, and a tinge of superstition.

His longest previous streak was 93 minutes, stretched across 2½ games in late January.

“The last time they told me I had zero turnovers, I came out and had five against Boise State,” Thames said. “Hopefully, you don’t jinx me.”